Dignitys First Biennial Convention is held in Los Angeles

July 5, 2008

DignityUSA

<table border=0 cellpadding=6 cellspacing=0 width=95%> <tbody> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Theme </td> <td> "The Spirit is Calling Us" </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Dates </td> <td> August 31 to September 3 1973 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Major Speaker </td> <td> Father John J. McNeill S.J. </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Special Guest </td> <td> Father Patrick Nidorf O.S.A. </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Registration Fee </td> <td> $7.50 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Site </td> <td> Holiday Inn 1755 North Highland Avenue Hollywood California </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Registrations </td> <td> 300 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Membership </td> <td> 449 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Chapters </td> <td> 12 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Charters in Formation </td> <td> 12 </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> National Officers Elected </td> <td> The first election is held and the following slate from Dignity/Boston is elected: <ul> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > Paul A. Diederich (President)</li> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > Rev. Thomas C. Oddo C.S.C. (Secretary)</li> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > John E. Hart (Treasurer)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC valign=top> <td> Highlights <img alt=1973 Convention logo height=176 src=http://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/images/73conv-logo.gif width=144 /> </td> <td> A provisional Constitution is drafted to be sent to members for ratification. The document includes our <a href=http://www.dignityusa.org/purpose style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0 0 102); text-decoration: none; >Statement of Position and Purpose</a>. During the convention Father McNeill and Father Jim Fleck one of the founders of Dignity/Cincinnati rewrite the second paragraph of Bob Fournier’s originalStatement of Position and Purpose to state: "We believe that gays can express their sexuality in a manner that is consonant with Christ’s teaching. We believe that all sexuality should be exercised in an ethically responsible and unselfish way." The Constitution also calls for the formation of a Board of Governors comprised of two representatives (a man and a woman) from each chapter and mission and states that the three national officers (all from one chapter to facilitate their work for Dignity) should be elected by convention delegates. Delegates also vote to send letters to: <ul> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > Bishops of the United States</li> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > Superiors of Religious Orders</li> <li style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding-bottom: 6px; > Clergy and Members of Metropolitan Community Church</li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Dignitys First Biennial Convention is held in Los Angeles

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